Welcome to my blog 'Karen in Africa'. It was created in hopes of updating family and friends of my whereabouts during my upcoming adventure - a four month cycling tour of Africa.
Tour d'Afrique Route |
On Monday, I will board an overnight Air Canada flight for London and onward to Cairo, arriving the night of January 6th. I am desperately hoping that my bike and supplies arrive safely and at the same time as I do. I will have two days before the start of the tour to re-build my bike, pick up any last minute necessities, and see some of Cairo.
Approximately one year ago, I made up my mind to register for the TDA cycling tour. As scary as it was to commit to this challenge, the thought of sitting in an office for yet another year and not doing an adventure of this type was even more terrifying. Anticipating my next birthday and doing the simple math made me realize that my window of opportunity for the many things I wanted to do is closing ever so slowly.
Lucky bike is boxed, ready to go. |
The past year was spent reading books and blogs written by previous TDA riders, assessing what I needed to do to be prepared, and obsessing over bikes, tires, electronics and everything else. Soon my bags were overflowing, and yet many of the necessities were not there. Many of the comfort items have since been replaced by spare bike parts, medical prescriptions (just in case), rain gear, multi-sized tires and tarps. My book of inoculations has entries on most pages. A new steel bike (a Surly Troll, which weighs as much as and rides like a small tractor), a light weight tent and a silk sleeping bag were purchased. ...Now I am ready to go (kind of).
Good luck, Karen! We are so proud of your for doing this exciting adventure-you are gonna rock it! Please update the blog as often as as possible:) Love: Ryan, Jenn, and Ben
ReplyDeleteThis makes me happy. I think you're going to love most of the trip, and look back fondly from the future on the parts you hate. The packing sounds awful. Perhaps you're almost at the easy part, where all you have to do is pedal. And pedal. And pedal.
ReplyDeleteHi Jenn and Jonathan, thanks! Jonathan, I think that you are right and the pedalling (and pedalling...) will be the easy part (most days).
ReplyDeleteSo excited for you! Can't wait to read your posts and follow your big adventure from my armchair. Good luck to you, my friend, and have fun!....Karen M.
ReplyDeleteDear Karen, all the best for a great ride. I'm looking forward to reading about it via this blog. Your spirit and competence are admirable! xxx Janice
ReplyDeleteSafe travels Karen. I know it will be amazing! ----Susan
ReplyDeleteKaren, have a wonderful trip! It should be a great adventure and experience. I'll be thinking about you and following your blog. All the best and take care! Love, Judy
ReplyDeleteKaren, we will be thinking about you and following your blog. Have a great adventure, can't wait to see you and hear all the stories. Take care and stay safe. Love Carole
ReplyDeleteHi Karen, Checking in for the first time on your blog and looking forward to "catching up with you" on your adventure!
ReplyDeleteLots of Love,
Annabelle
Love the photos and enjoying your descriptions, what an adventure!
ReplyDeleteTake Care
Eileen
Fascinating, Karen. Great update, what an adventure!
ReplyDelete